Hopple

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to an improved hopple with unique adjustment buckles for controlling the gait of pacing horses. The hopple consists of two pairs of hopple loops which respectively receive a lateral pair of the horse&#39;&#39;s legs, each pair being interconnected to restrict and control leg movement of the horse. The hopple loops are held in an elevated position by hopple hangers which fit over the horse&#39;&#39;s body. Loop position on the horse&#39;&#39;s legs is adjusted through provision of up-tug buckles disposed at each end of the hopple loop pair as well as intermediate points therebetween. The distance between interconnected hopple loops is controlled by a unique plastic buckle which permits quick adjustments and prevents slippage.

States Patent 1191 Pearson et al.

[ HOPPLE [75] Inventors: Monty L. Pearson, Muncie; Lee C.

Walls, Valparaiso, both of Ind.

[73] Assignee: Raceway Products Corporation,

Muncie, Ind.

[22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 345,439

[52] U.S. Cl 119/126, 24/196, 24/115 R, 24/74 R, 403/211 [51] Int. Cl Fl6g 11/04, A44b 11/10 [58] Field of Search 24/74 R, 196, 171, 126 K, 24/25, 115 R; 403/211; 54/38, 28; 119/126 [4 1 Nov. 19, 1974 1,195,990 7/1965 Germany 24/196 Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merchant, Gould, Smith & Edell [5 7 ABSTRACT The disclosure is directed to an improved hopple with unique adjustment buckles for controlling the gait of pacing horses. The hopple consists of two pairs of hopple loops which respectively receive a lateral pair of the horses legs, each pair being interconnected to restrict and control leg movement of the horse. The hopple loops are held in an elevated position by hopple hangers which fit over the horses body. Loop position on the horses legs is adjusted through provision of up-tug buckles disposed at each end of the hopple loop pair as well as intermediate points therebetween. The distance between interconnected hopple loops is controlled by a unique plastic buckle which permits quick adjustments and prevents slippage.

17 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 1 IHOPPLE The invention is directed to an improved hopple and adjustment buckles therefor.

The training and racing of pacing horses involves a specific type of hopple or hobble which, when properly placed, causes the horse to move its legs in lateral pairs so that it is alternately supported on the right and left legs. A pacing hopple conventionally consists of two pairs of hopple loops, each pair being adapted to respectively fit over the foreleg and rear leg on the same side. Each pair of hopple loops is interconnected and longitudinally adjustable to fit an individual horse and to effect the desired stride length. The pairs of hopple loops are suspended in an elevated position around the horses legs by hopple hangers, which fit over the horses body at several points and adjustably interconnect the hopple loop pairs by means of up-tug buckles.

Since a given hopple is often used on different horses, and further because of the different pacing requirements encountered in both training and racing, it is necessary to adjust the distance between each pair of hopple loops fairly frequently. Typically, some form of metal buckle is ordinarily used to interconnect the straps of a hopple loop pair and to permit longitudinal adjustment on the horse. The buckle must utilize some type of strap-locking mechanism to preclude slippage and maintain the hopple loops at the proper distance apart. The difficulty with buckles presently used is that they cease to operate after a period of time due to the environment in which they must function. In other words, the existence of dirt, mud, moisture and the tendency to rust or corrode act as a hinderance to operation of the strap-locking mechanism, and it often takes hand tools such as pliers and screwdrivers to force them to a release position. Another problem encountered with conventional buckles .is their tendency to permit slippage with age, which obviously prevents proper control of the horses gait.

Similar problems are encountered with the up-tug buckles to which the hopple hangers are adjustably connected. Of course, this not only precludes adjustment of the hopple relative to the horses legs, but also acts as a severe hinderance to placement and removal of the hopple. Needless to say, a hopple which is difficult to put on the horse and adjust and difficult to remove from the horse is of little useto the horseman.

Our invention is directed to an improved hopple which includes improved up-tug buckles and a unique adjustment buckle for interconnecting each pair of hopple loops. The up-tug buckles are molded from urethane or a similar flexible non-rusting and noncorrosive material which also has greater resistance to wear than the combination of nylon Web and metal buckle presently used.

The molded up-tug buckles at each end of the hopple loop are disposed at an angle which preclude chafing ofthe horse's legs. This is a problem with existing nylon up-tugs, which are overly flexible and tend to scrape the horse's leg on each stride, resulting in chafing and soreness. Our improved, molded up-tug buckle is inte+ grally formed with the hopple loop at the angle referred to above, so that the horse's legs only engage the smoother hopple loops and not the. up-tug buckles them-selves. 1

The hopple loop adjustment buckle is formed from a high strength plastic such as polycarbonate, which is extremely resistant to the working environment of the buckle, thereby assuring continuous maintenance free operation. Although plastic, the unique structural configuration of the buckle enables it to withstand significantly greater tension forces without slipping than its presently used metal counterpart.

As a result, we provide an improved hopple of increased strength which is quickly and easily adjustable notwithstanding its age or working environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved hopple which embodies the inventive principles;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in top plan of one portion of the improved hopple, which includes a hopple loop and improved adjustment buckles;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of an improved up-tug buckle for the hopple;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an improved adjustment buckle for the hopple;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged assembled view in elevation of the adjustment buckle; as seen from the line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the adjustment buckle in a first operative state, which is taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is the view of FIG. 9 with the adjustment buckle in a second operative state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With initial reference to FIG. 1, an improved hopple is represented generally by the numeral 11. Hopple 11 comprises wour hopple loops 12a, 12b which are interan elevated position relative to the horse "s legs by a plurality of hopple hangers 13 each of which passes over the horses body and includes ends which are respectively connected to the two pairs of hopple loops 12a, 12b. The hopple hangers 13 are secured together by a connecting strap 14 which maintains a proper relative position therebetween. The connection of hopple hangers 13 to the pairs of hopple loops 12a, 12b is by adjustable up-tug buckles represented generally by the numerals 15a, 15b. As shown in FIG. 1, each pair of hopple loops 12a, 12b has an up-tug buckle 15a disposed at each end and two similar buckles 15b secured at intermediate points thereon. With additional reference to FIG. 2, each of the hopple loops 12a, 12b consists of a single length of nylon straps l6'held in the form of a loop by a length of flexible tubing 17 formed from urethane or the like. The ends of tubing 17 are held together in predetermined relation by a hopple block 18,

which includes molded plastic halves bolted together with the ends of tubing 17 clamped therebetween ('see .also FIG. 3). The respective ends of the nylon strap 16 are brought together upon emergence from the tubing 17 and sewed to define a single, double thickness strap. This is true for each of the hopple loops 12a, 12b, although the double thickness strap is handled slightly differently for the forward loops 12a (as shown in FIG. 2) than on the rearward loops 12b. Thus, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, the doubled nylon straps 16 are in turn doubled again to define a closed terminal loop 19 (FIG. 7 only) which is permanently secured to the inner portion of an adjustment buckle 21. With additional reference to FIGS. and 6, a short length 22 of nylon strap is formed into a loop and receives a D-ring 23. The free ends of the short length 22 are disposed between the double thicknesses of nylon strap 16, and all strap components are then sewed together to form an integral unit. For the rearward hopple loops 12b, the short length 22 is sewed between the individual straps 16 as they emerge from the tubing 17 in the position shown. The straps 16 from rearward loops 12b are sewed together throughout their remaining length to define a single strap of double thickness which passes adjustably through buckle 21 as will be described below.

An up-tug buckle b is secured to each of the D- rings 23. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, each up-tug buckle 15b consists of an elongated strap 24 one end of which terminates in a point 25. Slightly rearwardly of the pointed end 25, the strap 24 is formed with side recesses 26 and a slot 27 therebetween to receive the pivoting tongue of a conventional buckle 28.

Up-tug buckle 15b further comprises a separately formed loop member 29 which is secured between opposed portions of the strap 24 as its passes around the D-ring 23 and buckle 28. To assist in proper positioning of the strap 24, it includes a pair of locating studs 31 which register with a receiving aperture 32 formed through the strap. As shown in FIG. 6, the strap 24 is properly arranged when the studs 31 are capable of being inserted in the aperture 32 in opposed fashion. When positioned in this manner, and with the buckle 28 and loop member 29 inserted properly, the strap 24 is sewed, as shown at 33, to complete the assembly.

In the preferred embodiment, strap 24 and loop 29 are made from urethane or a similar synthetic material which is strong, resiliently flexible and rust-proof. The D-ring 23 and buckle 28 are metal, and plated to resist rust and corrosion.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, up-tug buckle 15a is quite similar to up-tug buckle 15b. However, buckle 150 includes a strap 34 which is widened at one end and defines bifurcations 35 which are integrally molded with the tubing 17. Strap 34 also includes a pair of recesses 36 and slot 37 to receive a buckle 38, as well as a loop 39 which is integrally formed with the strap 34. A single stud 41 cooperates with a recessed opening 42 to locate the strap 34 properly before sewing, as represented by the numeral 43.

It will be appreciated that the several hopple hangers 13 respectively cooperate with the up-tug buckles 15a, 15b to permit proper adjustment of the hopple 11 on the horse.

FIGS. 7-10 set forth the adjustable buckle 21 in de-, tail. Buckle 21 comprises a housing defined by cooperating housing members 44a, 44b which are glued or otherwise permanently secured together. As constructed, the buckle housing is elongated inshape'and has open ends which are respectively defined by a first set of opposed, converging wall members 45a, 45b and a second set of opposed, converging wall members 46a, 46b. The housing members 44a, 44b, are also constructed to define openings in the top and bottom of the buckle 21 to facilitate threading of the double thickness strap 16 leading from the rear hopple loop 12b.

Integrally formed with housing member 44b and projecting therefrom is a post 47 which is received in a receptacle 48 in housing member 440. As is shown in FIG. 7 and 9, post 47 receives the terminal strap loop 19 from hopple loop 12a in a manner which permits limited relative pivotal movement'therebetween.

The inner surfaces of the converging walls 45a, 45b are ridged as shown to provide an effective gripping surface against the double strap 16. Cooperating with these converging ridged surfaces is a clamping member 51 consisting of a cylindrical portion 51a and a triangular portion 51b projecting transversely therefrom. The outer converging surfaces of the triangular portion 51b are ridged in a manner similar to the converging walls 46a, 46b to cooperate therewith in clamping relation. Clamping member 51 further comprises an abuttable member 510 taking the form of a chord segment, which is secured on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51a in opposition to the triangular portion 51b. The purpose of chord segment 510 is explained in further detail below.

Rotatably disposed within the cylindrical portion 51a is an actuating member 52 which is of predetermined thickness and essentially rectangular in shape. As is best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, one longitudinal edge of the actuating member 52 is essentially flat, whereas the opposed longitudinal edge is rounded. An eccentric bore 52a passes longitudinally therethrough, and a blind or dead-end slot 52b is formed at each end. Actuating member 52 further includes a dog 52c projecting outwardly from one face thereof(FIGS. 9 and 10 only), the purpose of which will be described below.

The width of actuating member 52 (Le, its transverse dimension between longitudinal edges) is slightly greater than the internal dimension within the cylindrical portion 51a between the midpoint of chord segment 51c and a point on the inner cylindrical surface directly across therefrom. Consequently, the actuating member 52 is capable of loose although restrained movement within the cylindrical portion 510 until it is rotated into binding engagement with the chord segment 510 (FIG. 9). In this position, the slots 52b register with slots 51d formed in the circumferential edge of cylindrical portion 5 la.

Buckle 21 further comprises a handle member 53 consisting of bifurcated sides 53a interconnected by a manually operable handle 53b. Projecting inwardly from the inner face of each bifurcated side 53a is an elongated lug 53c which is sized and disposed for insertion into corresponding slots 51d, 52b. An axial bore 53d passes transversely through each of the bifurcated sides 53a and registers with bore 52a with the components assembled in the manner described immediately above. A transverse pivot pin 54 extends through the bores 53d, 52a and is received in appropriate'recesses 55 formed in the inner walls of housing members 44a, 44b. 1

As described, handle member 53 and actuatingmember 52 rotate together about the fixed axis defined by pivot pin 54, with the handle member 53 projecting through the open side of the buckle housing in its outermost position (FIG. In this position, the clamping member 51 is loosely retained by reason of the clearance between the cylindrical portion 51a and the actuating member 52. Rotation of handle member 53 to the closed position of FIG. 9, however, causes a simultaneous rotation of actuating member 52 so that its longitudinal edges respectively engage the chord segment 51c and the inner wall surface of cylindrical portion 51a. This gives rise to a camming effect which in turn thrusts the clamping member further toward the ridged converging side walls 45a, 45b. At the same time, actuating member 52 is in frictional binding engagement due to the dimensional relationship discussed above, thus serving to hold the handle member 53 in a locked position. As shown in FIG. 9, the wall 45b and handle member 53 have complementary engagement surfaces 55a, 55b which preclude further inward movement of the handle member 53.

Hopple 11 is used by placing the respective hopple loops 12a, 12b over the horses legs and suspending them at a desired position through adjustment of the hopple hangers l3 and up-tug buckles 15a, 15b. The distance between hopple loop pairs is controlled by opening the handle member 53 to the position shown in FIG. 10, and threading the doubled strap 16 from hopple loop 12b around the clamping member 51 and between the converging walls 45a, 45b as shown. The double strap 16 is then adjusted to the desired length, and handle member 53 is depressed to the position shown in FIG. 9 to thrust clamping member 51 further toward the converging walls 45a, 45b, thereby securely clamping the strap 16 therebetween. As pointed out above, handle member 53 is locked in'this depressed position by the binding engagement of actuating member 52 with the internal structure of clamping member 51. Release of the buckle for further adjustments is facilitated by the dog 52c, which engages the segmented portion 51c as handle member 53 is moved to its outermost position, and causes clamping member 51 to retract from its clamping position. Such retractive movement by the clamping member 51 provides the necessary clearance between its ridged surfaces and those of the converging wall members 46a, 46b to permit longitudinal adjustment of the strap 16.

Due to its structural configuration, the several components of buckle 21 can be injection molded from a plastic such as polycarbonate which offers a high strength characteristic, is entirely rust-proof, weather resistant and easily cleaned.

We claim:

1. A buckle for releasably and adjustably receiving and retaining astrap, comprising:

' a. a housing having an open end to receive the strap, and converging, opposed side walls proximate said open end;

b. handle means carried by the housing for rotatio about a fixed axis and having a handle portion manually accessible external of the housing for movement between clamping and non-clamping positrons;

c. a clamping member having converging outer surfaces cooperable with the converging side walls of the housing in clamping relation therewith and adapted to have the strap threaded therearound, the clamping member defining an enclosed portion loosely retained about the rotational axis of the handle means to permit movement of the clamping member between clamping and non-clamping positions;

(1. and an actuating member disposed within the enclosed portion of the clamping member, the actuating member being rotatable with said handle means and engageable with said clamping member in camming fashion to effect movement thereof into said clamping position.

2. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a second open end to receive a second strap, and means within the housing for retaining the second strap upon being received through the second open end.

3. The buckle defined by claim I, wherein said opposed side walls converge toward said open end and terminate therewith.

4. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein said enclosed portion is cylindrical and further comprises an abutment member disposed on the inner cylindrical surface, the actuating member being eccentrically disposed relative to said rotational axis and engageable with said abutment member and inner cylindrical face.

ing member is of predetermined thickness and defines opposed longitudinal sides respectively engageable with said chord segment and said inner cylindrical surface.

8. The buckle defined by claim 7, wherein:

a. the actuating member has an axial bore extending longitudinally therethrough;

b. the handle member comprises bifurcations defining opposed faces, said opposed faces having an axial bore formed therethrough;

c. and further comprising a pivot pin extending through the axial bores of said handle member and actuating member and retained by said buckle housing.

9. The buckle defined by claim 8, wherein the inner face of each bifurcated portion has an elongated lug formed thereon, and each end of the actuating member is slotted for retaining engagement with one of said elongated lugs.

10. The buckle defined by claim 8, wherein said handle portion interconnects said bifurcations.

11. The buckle defined by claim 4, wherein the actuating member further comprises a laterally projecting dog disposed for engagement with said abutment member with movement of the handle member toward its release position to cause retraction of the clamping member from its clamping position.

12. The buckle defined by claim I, wherein the converging side walls of the buckle housing and the outer converging surfaces of the clamping member are ridged to permit frictional gripping with said strap.

13. The buckle defined by claim 2, wherein the means for retaining the second strap comprises a rigid post secured transversely between opposite sides of the buckle housing proximate said second open end.

14. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein the handle portion abuts the buckle housing to preclude movement thereof beyond said clamping position.

15. An improved hopple for pacing horses, comprismg:

a. first and second pairs of hopple loops comprising a flexible strap formed into a loop, the strap ends of each loop being secured together;

b. a buckle for releasably and adjustably connecting the secured strap ends together, comprising i. a housing having a first open end to receive the first strap end, a second open end to receive the second strap end and converging, opposed side walls proximate the second open end;

ii. means within the housing for retaining the first strap upon being received through said first open end;

iii. handle means carried by the housing for rotation about a fixed axis and having a handle portion manually accessible external of the housing for movement between clamping and nonclamping positions;

iv. a clamping member having converging outer surfaces cooperable with the converging side walls of the housing in clamping relation therewith and adapted to have the second strap threaded therearound, the clamping member defining an enclosed portion loosely retained about the rotational axis of the handle means to permit movement of the clamping member between clamping and non-clamping positions;

v. and an actuating member disposed within the enclosed portion of the clamping member, the actuating member being rotatable with said handle means and engageable with said clamping member in camming fashion to effect movement thereof into said clamping position;

c. each hopple loop pair having a pluality of up-tug buckles secured thereto;

d. and a plurality of hopple hanging straps adapted to fit over the horses body, each hopple hanging strap terminating in ends adjustably secured to an up-tug buckle.

16. The hopple defined by claim 15, wherein each up-tug buckle comprises:

a. a predetermined length of resiliently flexible plastic strap, the strap having a stud and stud receptacle formed on one face thereof, the strap being doubled over and secured together to deflne a closed loop with the stud and stud receptacle in registration;

b. and a buckle retainably disposed within said closed loop to adjustably secure the hopple hanging strap end.

17. The hopple defined by claim 16, wherein each hopple loop further comprises:

a. a predetermined length of resiliently flexible tubing through which the flexible strap is threaded, the tubing having its ends secured together to define said loop;

b. and one of said up-tug buckles being integrally formed with the tubing of each hopple loop. 

1. A buckle for releasably and adjustably receiving and retaining a strap, comprising: a. a housing having an open end to receive the strap, and converging, opposed side walls proximate said open end; b. handle means carried by the housing for rotation about a fixed axis and having a handle portion manually accessible external of the housing for movement between clamping and nonclamping positions; c. a clamping member having converging outer surfaces cooperable with the converging side walls of the housing in clamping relation therewith and adapted to have the strap threaded therearound, the clamping member defining an enclosed portion loosely retained about the rotational axis of the handle means to permit movement of the clamping member between clamping and non-clamping positions; d. and an actuating member disposed within the enclosed portion of the clamping member, the actuating member being rotatable with said handle means and engageable with said clamping member in camming fashion to effect movement thereof into said clamping position.
 2. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a second open end to receive a second strap, and means within the housing for retaining the second strap upon being received through the second open end.
 3. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein said opposed side walls converge toward said open end and terminate therewith.
 4. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein said enclosed portion is cylindrical and further comprises an abutment member disposed on the inner cylindrical surface, the actuating member being eccentrically disposed relative to said rotational axis and engageable with said abutment member and inner cylindrical face.
 5. The buckle defined by claim 4, wherein said abutment member comprises a chord segment of the inner cylindrical face.
 6. The buckle defined by claim 5, wherein said actuating member is constructed and arranged to be frictionally retained between the chord segment and an opposing point on the inner cylindrical surface.
 7. The buckle defined by claim 6, wherein the actuating member is of predetermined thickness and defines opposed longitudinal sides respectively engageable with said chord segment and said inner cylindrical surface.
 8. The buckle defined by claim 7, wherein: a. the actuating member has an axial bore extending longitudinally therethrough; b. the handle member comprises bifurcations defining opposed faces, said opposed faces having an axial bore formed therethrough; c. and further comprising a pivot pin extending through the axial bores of said handle member and actuating member and retained by said buckle housing.
 9. The buckle defined by claim 8, wherein the inner face of each bifurcated portion has an elongated lug formed thereon, and each end of the actuating member is slotted for retaining engagement with one of said elongated lugs.
 10. The buckle defined by claim 8, wherein said handle portion interconnects said bifurcations.
 11. The buckle defined by claim 4, wherein the actuating member further comprises a laterally projecting dog disposed for engagement with said abutment member with movement of the handle member toward its release position to cause retraction of the clamping member from its clamping position.
 12. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein the converging side walls of the buckle housing and the outer converging surfaces of the clamping member are ridged to permit frictional gripping with said strap.
 13. The buckle defined by claim 2, wherein the means for retaining the second strap comprises a rigid post secured transversely between opposite sides of the buckle housing proximate said second open end.
 14. The buckle defined by claim 1, wherein the handle portion abuts the buckle housing to preclude movement thereof beyond said clamping position.
 15. An improved hopple for pacing horses, comprising: a. first and second pairs of hopple loops comprising a flexible strap formed into a loop, the strap ends of each loop being secured together; b. a buckle for releasably and adjustably connecting the secured strap ends together, comprising i. a housing having a first open end to receive the first strap end, a second open end to receive the second strap end and converging, opposed side walls proximate the second open end; ii. means within the housing for retaining the first strap upon being received through said first open end; iii. handle means carried by the housing for rotation about a fixed axis and having a handle portion manually accessible external of the housing for movement between clamping and non-clamping positions; iv. a clamping member having converging outer surfaces cooperable with the converging side walls of the housing in clamping relation therewith and adapted to have the second strap threaded therearound, the clamping member defining an enclosed portion loosely retained about the rotational axis of the handle means to permit movement of the clamping member between clamping and non-clamping positions; v. and an actuating member disposed within the enclosed portion of the clamping member, the actuating member being rotatable with said handle means and engageable with said clamping member in camming fashion to effect movement thereof into said clamping position; c. each hopple loop pair having a pluality of up-tug buckles secured thereto; d. and a plurality of hopple hanging straps adapted to fit over the horse''s body, each hopple hanging strap terminating in ends adjustably secured to an up-tug buckle.
 16. The hopple defined by claim 15, wherein each up-tug buckle comprises: a. a predetermined length of resiliently flexible plastic strap, the strap having a stud and stud receptacle formed on one face thereof, the strap being doubled over and secured together to define a closed loop with the stud and stud receptacle in registration; b. and a buckle retainably disposed within said closed loop to adjustably secure the hopPle hanging strap end.
 17. The hopple defined by claim 16, wherein each hopple loop further comprises: a. a predetermined length of resiliently flexible tubing through which the flexible strap is threaded, the tubing having its ends secured together to define said loop; b. and one of said up-tug buckles being integrally formed with the tubing of each hopple loop. 